Shares in Barclays surged over 4 per cent towards their record high today as rumours again circulated that Spanish or US banks were considering a bid for it.
Shares in Britain's third-biggest bank were up nearly 3.9 per cent at 713 pence, valuing the bank at over £46 billion.
The shares hit a peak of 719p, not far from October's all-time high of 732-1/2p, and volume of over 40 million shares was already higher than the stock's daily average.
Spain's BBVA and Banco Santander and Bank of America were rumoured as possible buyers, according to several dealers. All have been linked with Barclays before.
